Adjustable track assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable track assembly providing a pair of wedges with interlocking teeth superimposed on each other within a housing and combined with removable flanged snap bead covers for supporting a track that bears carriages for files or cabinets. The position of the wedges on each other may be adjusted to keep the track perfectly level over relatively long distances.

llnlted States Patent 1 [111 3,869,086 llleaney 5 Mar. 4, 1975 [54]ADJUSTABLE TRACK ASSEMBLY 2,730,306 1/1956 Miller 238/281 l Inventor:onald T. eaney, 32316 Phantom ...980,034 4/1961 Harty 238/8 Dr., PalosVerdes, Calif. 90501 Primary E.\'aminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. lzzl Fled:1971 Assistant E.\'anziner-Richard A. Bertsch [21] Appl NC 210,954Attorney, Agent, or FirnzJohn Joseph Hall [52] U.S. Cl. 238/10 R,238/281 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl E0lb 2/00, EOlb 23/00 An adjustabletrack assembly providing a pair of [58] held of Search 238/10 R, l, 122,281, d t l t th d h 238/282 8 104/134 69 we ges vr m er 0c mg eesuperimpose on eac I other within a housing and combined with removableflanged snap bead covers for supporting a track that [56] References andbears carriages for files or cabinets. The position of UNITED STATESPATENTS the wedges on each other may be adjusted to keep the 1,126,5361/1915 Liebmann 238/281 track perfectly level over relatively longdistances. 1,357,180 10/1920 Nelson 238/281 1,781,251 11/1930 Schwendtet a1. 238/282 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I ADJUSTABLE TRACK ASSEMBLYBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a new type of adjustable track assembly which providesinterlocking wedges superimposed on each other and capable of adjustmentof their height in position.

2. Prior Art Applicant is unaware of any prior art disclosing theparticular form of the wedges having interlocking teeth in conjunctionwith a housing having removable covers for supporting a track for filecarriages which is adjustable to keep the track level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises an adjustable trackassembly which includes a pair of wedges having interlocking teeth ontheir longest side, a housing having a base with rising abutments in itscenter and perpendicular side walls terminating in an inwardly taperedtop portion of the inner walls with a longitudinal groove below thetaper in each inner wall, a longitudinal groove formed on each outerwall of the top portion of the side walls, and a removable flanged snapbead cover fitting in each groove of the outer side walls of thehousing. The wedges have teeth which interlock when the wedges aresuperimposed on one another with the longest side congruent. The wedgesin their superimposed position can be adjusted laterally to increase ordecrease the overall height of the wedges when placed in theinterlocking position.

The adjustable track assembly can be formed in a plurality of variouslengths to provide a quick and reliable means for giving level supportto a track that bears a plurality of files or cabinets on a carriage.

Conventional tracks for file or cabinet carriages have no similar meansfor easy and rapid adjustment to maintain a track level, in the event ofa displacement in height of the floor on which the track rests.

It is therefore, an object of my invention to provide an adjustabletrack assembly which can compensate for height displacement of the floorto maintain the track which it supports perfectly level.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable trackassembly which is relatively easy to as semble and place in operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable trackassembly which can be readily adjusted after its installation in afloor, to maintain the track level which it bears, in the event .of achange in floor height.

These and other objects will be more readily understood by reference tothe following description and claims, taken in conjunction with thedrawing, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of myinvention in position supporting tracks which bear a plurality of filesor cabinets on carriages.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed section of a portion of FIG. 2 showing flanged snapbead covers in place.

The adjustable track assembly has a pair of wedges 12 each having aseries of rows of teeth 14 formed on the surface of the wedge side 16opposite the right angle 18 of the wedges 12. The rows of teeth 14 arepreferably equally spaced and of uniform size.

The teeth 14 of wedges l2 interlock when the sides 16 are superimposed.Wedges 12 are preferably formed in such a way as to have a cross sectionin the form of a 3060 right triangle, although the cross section of thewedges l2 may be varied to include embodiments ranging from the crosssection of a 3060 right triangle to that of a 45 right triangle.

The wedges 12 have a series of parallel grooves 20 on the longerstraight side 22.

The length of wedges 12 may vary from one inch to three feet withoutdetracting from the level adjusting capability of the adjustable trackassembly 10, although I have found that about one foot in length is apreferable length for the wedges 12.

The wedges 12 are supported by a housing 24 having a base 26 and sidewalls 28 forming right angles with base 26. The inside surfaces 30 ofside walls 28 have a slight inner taper 32 at their upper ends beginningjust above longitudinal grooves 34 cut in the inner surface of sidewalls 28.

The top portion of the outer walls 36 of housing 24 are formed inhorizontal fins 38 with vertical flanges 40 and longitudinal grooves 42between the flanges 40.

The base 26 of housing 24 has abutments 44 rising up from the bottombase 26 and separated by a longitudinal groove 46. The abutments 44 haveflat top surfaces. Each abutment 44 has a longitudinal rib 48 on its topsurface, which fits into one of the grooves 20 of wedges 12. The ribs 48are located so that each of the ribs 48 simultaneously fits into one ofgrooves 20 of wedges 12.

The adjustable track assembly 10 is provided with two removable flangedsnap bead. covers 50, one for each of grooves 42 of the housing 24.-

The flanged snap bead covers 50 are identical in construction, and havea flat top 52. The covers 50 are each provided with a middle flange 54perpendicular to top 52 and terminating in a longitudinal bead 56 thatsnap fits into groove 34 of the side wall 28 of housing 24. Outerlongitudinal flange 58 of cover 50 is also perpendicular to top 52 andis spaced sufficiently away from middle flange 54 to fit closely intogroove 42, thereby maintaining cover 50 in position in conjunction withmiddle flange 54. The inner edge of top 52 is formed into a longitudinallip 60 which is perpendicular to the top 52. The tops 52 of covers 50are formed in a width sufficient to permit lips 60 to be in closealignment with longitudinal track 62 when it is in position on the topof interlocking wedges l2.

The fins 38 are used when the adjustable track assembly is used for atile or carpet application. Other wise, the fins 38 may be dispensedwith, without affecting the operation of the adjustable track assembly10.

The various parts of the adjustable track assembly 10 can be formed fromany suitable material for sustaining the stresses resulting from the useof the invention without becoming deforemd. I have found that solidaluminum metal is satisfactory.

In operation, the adjustable assembly track assembly 10 is placed inposition as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 24 is set in concrete 64 asindicated in FIG. 2. Various conventional means (not shown) may be usedto fix and maintain the adjustable track assembly 10 in position. Groove42 is formed to accept a conventional size hex nut.

A plurality of adjustable track assemblies 10, each about one foot longand about two inches apart, is placed in each track line 66 designatedin FIG. 1. Each pair of wedges 12 is then adjusted with respect to theirinterlocking teeth 14 in place to provide a perfectly level support forthe track 62 for each of track line 66, thereby compensating for anydifference in level of the floor 68. After the wedges 12 have beenproperly adjusted in height, the track 62 is placed on the wedges 12within each line 66 and the flanged snap bead covers 50 are snapped inposition, providing a perfectly level surface as shown in FIG. 2 formovement of files or cabinets 70. t

In the event that any settling or other displacement of any part of thefloor 68 should occur so that any of the tracks 62 is no longer level,the flanged snap bead covers 50 in the particular area of the floor 68can be readily removed and the wedges 12 easily adjusted in height tocompensate for any such settling or displacement of the floor 68, sothat each of the tracks 62 will be maintained in its original levelposition.

The invention can also be used to support and keep tracks level that areused to mount equipment on, such as for a machine shop, or for varioustypes of storage equipment.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it isunderstood that numerous changes in the construction and arrangement ofparts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for filesand cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portionwith a longitudinal rib on its top surface and with two opposite sidewalls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the topportion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formedat the top portion of each of their outer walls; and

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed onthe surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with eachother when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed,each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of theirremaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment ofsaid housing;

whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in alevel position.

2. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedges membershave the cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

3. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedge members havethe cross section of a 45 right triangle.

4. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the two opposite sidewalls are perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing.

5. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for filesand cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portionwith a longitudinal rib on its top surface, and with two opposite sidewalls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the topportion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formedat the top portion of each of their outer walls:

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed onthe surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with eachother when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed,each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of theirremaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment ofsaid housing; and

at least one removable snap bead cover member having a middle flangedportion with a longitudinal bead at its outer end, said bead snapfitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said sidewalls of said housing,

whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in alevel position.

6. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members havethe cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

7. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members havethe cross section of a 45 right triangle.

8. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the two opposite sidewalls are perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing.

9. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for filesand cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portionwith two longitudinal ribs on its top surface, and with two oppositeside walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at thetop portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal grooveformed at the top portion of each of their outer walls;

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed onthe surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with eachother when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed,each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of theirremaining sides to receive said longitudinal ribs of said abutment ofsaid housing; and

two removable snap bead cover members each having a middle flangedportion with a longitudinal bead at their outer ends, said beads eachsnap fitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of saidside walls of said housing;

whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in alevel position.

10. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge membershave the cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

11. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge membershave the cross section of a 45 right triangle.

12. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge membershave the cross section of a right triangle whose remaining angles rangefrom 30 to to 45 and 45 respectively.

1. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for filesand cabinets, comprising: a housing with a base having an abutmentformed in its center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surfaceand with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove andan inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having alongitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outerwalls; and a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teethformed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlockingwith each other when said longest sides of said wedge members aresuperimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in oneof their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of saidabutment of said housing; whereby said track assembly can be adjusted tomaintain said track in a level position.
 2. A track assembly accordingto claim 1 in which the wedges members have the cross section of a30*-60* right triangle.
 3. A track assembly according to claim 1 inwhich the wedge members have the cross section of a 45* right triangle.4. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the two opposite sidewalls are perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing.
 5. Atrack assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files andcabinets, comprising: a housing with a base having an abutment formed inits center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surface, and withtwo opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inwardtaper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having alongitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outerwalls; a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teethformed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlockingwith each other when said longest sides of said wedge members aresuperimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in oneof their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of saidabutment of said housing; and at least one removable snap bead covermember having a middle flanged portion with a longitudinal bead at itsouter end, said bead snap fitting into said longitudinal groove of saidinner surface of said side walls of said housing, whereby said trackassembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in a level position. 6.A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members havethe cross section of a 30*-60* right triangle.
 7. A track assemblyaccording to claim 5 in which the wedge members have the cross sectionof a 45* right triangle.
 8. A track assembly according to claim 5 inwhich the two opposite side walls are perpendicular to the plane of thebase of the housing.
 9. A track assembly for supporting a track bearinga carriage for files and cabinets, comprising: a housing with a basehaving an abutment formed in its center portion with two longitudinalribs on its top surface, and with two opposite side walls each having alongitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of theirinner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the topportion of each of their outer walls; a pair of wedge members eachhaving a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longestsides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sidesof said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge membershaving a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive saidlongitudinal ribs of said abutment of said housing; and two removablesnap bead cover members each having a middle flanged portion with alongitudinal bead at their outer ends, said beads each snap fitting intosaid longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said side walls ofsaid housing; whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintainsaid track in a level position.
 10. A track assembly according to claim9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 30*-60* righttriangle.
 11. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedgemembers have the cross section of a 45* right triangle.
 12. A trackassembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the crosssection of a right triangle whose remaining angles range from 30* to 60*to 45* and 45* respectively.